Humpback Whales in Hawaii in January
Yes, January is one of the best months to see humpback whales in Hawaii. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 320 of the 1,253 sightings logged across the year (25.5%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 10, 2026.
Peak month for humpback whales in Hawaii
25.5%
of yearly sightings
320
records in January
#2
busiest month of 12
1,253
verified records a year
December 11.3%, January 25.5%, February 31.7%. Busiest month is February at 31.7%.
1,253 verified observations of humpback whales in Hawaii, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When humpback whales are recorded in Hawaii
Peak month
February
397 records (31.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 320 | 25.5% |
| Februarypeak | 397 | 31.7% |
| Marchpeak | 262 | 20.9% |
| April | 94 | 7.5% |
| May | 10 | 0.8% |
| June | 1 | 0.1% |
| July | 1 | 0.1% |
| August | 1 | 0.1% |
| September | 0 | 0% |
| October | 4 | 0.3% |
| November | 21 | 1.7% |
| December | 142 | 11.3% |
Humpback Whales you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Humpback Whale | 1,253 |
In Hawaii, January carries 25.5% of the year's humpback whales sightings, about 17.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from December (11.3%) into January, and it heads toward February (31.7%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so January is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The humpback whales most often recorded in Hawaii are Humpback Whale. Those counts are annual totals rather than a January split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in January itself.
Which humpback whales you are most likely to see
- Humpback Whale1,253 records
Plan your humpback whale trip in Hawaii
Start with live tours near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Live tours nearbySee live tours near Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main humpback whale viewing area.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see humpback whales in Hawaii in January?+
Yes. January accounts for 320 of the 1,253 verified humpback whales sightings logged in Hawaii across the year, which is 25.5% of the annual total.
Is January a good time to see humpback whales in Hawaii?+
January is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of February, January and March.
What month is best for humpback whales in Hawaii?+
February is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through February, January and March, based on 1,253 verified observations.
Which humpback whales are you most likely to see in Hawaii?+
The most-recorded species in Hawaii are Humpback Whale, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See humpback whales in Hawaii in other months
More wildlife in Hawaii